Land at The Street, The Street, Chipperfield, Hertfordshire, WD4 9BH

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• Whether the proposal would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt, having regard to the Framework and relevant policies of the Development Plan
• The effect of the proposal on the openness of the Green Belt
• The effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the Chipperfield Conservation Area and the setting of the Grade II* Listed The Pale Farm
• The effect of the proposal on the living conditions of the occupants at the Old Barn Cottage, with particular regard to privacy and outlook
• If the proposal is inappropriate development, whether the harm by reason of inappropriateness, and any other harm, would be clearly outweighed by other considerations so as to amount to the very special circumstances required to justify it

What decided it

The substantial weight given to harm to the Green Belt by reason of inappropriateness and loss of openness, combined with less than substantial harm to heritage assets, which together were not clearly outweighed by the limited benefits of two dwellings.

The limited housing and economic benefits of two dwellings were outweighed by substantial harm to the Green Belt through inappropriateness and loss of openness, and less than substantial harm to the conservation area and listed building settings, with no public benefits sufficient to justify the heritage harm.